Stockton Lake Fishing Report

[Stockton Lake Guide Service]

Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico over New Years was excellent. Caught lots of red snapper and grouper in 70-100 foot of water. But now I'm back in missouri and the water is a little bit colder here.

I was out on the 19th and 20th. The water was still frozen from mutton creek south, but most of the lake was open. The water temp was in the upper 30's most everywhere we went.

Crappie are biting on 1/16 and 1/8 oz jigs over brush piles and under the schools of shad. You need to watch your graph really close and mark the shad. Once you have found them (can be anyplace from 35-60' deep) then try fishing just under them and in the school. Some really good fish are being caught, and it's one of the most consistent bites you can have all year. Lots of people don't like being out in the cold, but if you love to eat some fresh crappie during the cold winter months, there is not reason to not give it a try. Even several of the marked fishing beds are producing some good fish.

Bass are pretty slow. They are not hitting what I throw at them right now, but if you want to punish yourself try jigs and plastics off of points and bluff ends. Fish very slow and don't be afraid to set the hook. After you get tired of trying, hit the crappie.

Sorry, haven't been walleye or catfishing yet. I would like to go back to the gulf until march, but had to come back home.

If you decide to go out, take some dry clothes, a towel, etc just in case you fall in. The water is very cold and it wont take long for the cold to get to you in these conditions. And remember, never be embarrassed to where a life vest!!

[hooked on crappie]

Thanks for the crappie report, I need all the help I can get to fish the upcoming Sunday crappie tourniment!!! Thanks

[shockley32]

Thanks for the excellent report and detailed info.

Brad

[Quillback]

Yes thanks for the reports!